Halal meat to be produced in Latvia

Nina Kolyako, BC, Riga, 15.09.2009.

Saeima
Economic, Agricultural, Environment and Regional Policy Committee
supported in the final reading amendments to animal rights protection
law, stipulating that from now on animal slaughter based on religious
tradition will be allowed in Latvia.

According
to the law amendments, animals will have to be slaughtered in special
slaughter houses in presence of a veterinarian, writes LETA.

Up until now animal slaughter based on religious tradition was not
allowed in Latvia, as well as in three more European Union member
states.

The law amendments were drawn up after receiving requests from
entrepreneurs willing to export Halal meat prepared in line with
Islamic traditions. A company in Latvia intends to produce and export
beef and lamb meat-filled dumplings to Sweden.